Riverside

 It has been a long, long time since Christo and I have visited Yianni and Victoria in Riverside. In fact it has been at least three and a half years, since I was just pregnant with Lukas. So this was Lukas' first trip down to Southern California. We drove....it was a long, long drive, ten hours down (extra couple of hours due to horrendous traffic) and about eight hours home. Lukas did so well in the truck, unbelievably well. He seemed to enjoy the drive for the most part. Only once did he say to us "get me out now, get me out now!" We stopped about every two hours for potty breaks and just to stretch our legs which was nice. On the way home we had an emergency potty break for Lukas and unfortunately ended up at a port-a-potty. Lukas was so funny, he told us "I don't like this port-a-potty." Too funny.

 He loved running around Papou's and Bunica's orange grove. He told us his most favorite part of the whole trip was picking strawberries with Bunica. I think he could have spent all day running around outside, there was  just so much to do and see.

We visited our old neighbors and best of friend Butch and Jill. It was their first time meeting Lukas.

 I sure miss them. They are like my family and both Christo and I wish they were still right next  door. There is nothing like catching up with old friends.

Catching up at Yianni's birthday party.

 Happy Birthday to Papou! On Saturday it was Papou's birthday and he had a big party at his house. Everyone had a great time and it was special for us to celebrate with Papou on his special day.

 Lukas was really intrigued by Papou's pool and wanted to take a dip. Good thing the pool net was securely in place.

Notice Lukas here? He is sucking the frosting off of the candles from Papou's cake. He really wanted to dip his finger in the cake (bad habit taught but the one and only Papa Gary!)

Lukas really loves his Bunica.

 And loves chocolate cake too.

 Lukas was in love at first sight with Robert's wife and sought out her attention all weekend.

The beautiful tulips at Bunica's house.
Overall we had a wonderful trip down and back to Riverside that was long overdue. I think next time we will fly as it will be much shorter and easier for us all vs. driving, especially with that L.A. traffic---oh my goodness!!!!
The weather was amazing, in the 70's and 80's and coming back home is the other extreme-- the weather is cold, cold, cold and we are expecting some snow!

 Lukas loves his wheelbarrow that Uncle Tim bought him for his birthday. He runs around the yard pushing it and filling it with dirt and water.

 Lukas made a train out of chairs in the yard and even got the doggies to play along too.

 Tulips gifted by one of Christo's friends to me, such a sweet gesture.

 Blooming flowers in the yard. It is already looking like spring around here!

My favorite flower picture I have taken so far.

 Lukas riding his tractor and having a blast with his best pal Athena.

 Bear Bear.

Little man loves picking flowers. Not sure what type these are but they are just gorgeous and popping up all over the yard in random spots.

 Admiring his flowers.

Such a sweet little boy he is, just look at that cute face!

Saying goodbye

 I've come to realize through the course of my life that saying final goodbyes to people or places is one of the hardest things in life that we see coming. Knowing that this is the end in absolution and this chapter of life is permanently closing is hard to come to terms with. Most of our dealings in life are lived in the unknown, not  knowing what is to come, but knowing a goodbye is coming in its absolute, definitive final manner is hard to prepare for emotionally.  Saying goodbye to my childhood home has not only been hard for me but for all my family. We all have shared so many wonderful memories in that house over the course of many, many years. My brother and I were blessed to have grown up with roots, having one real, long-standing childhood home and not being moved around from place to place. For me, home has always been this house and now I have to close that chapter and say goodbye.

 Last week, we ventured off to my childhood home to say our final goodbyes. I left in tears thinking to myself, "this is the last time I will stand in this room, this is the last time I will walk out this door" consuming thoughts such as this of course were bound to bring tears to my eyes. I stood in front of each room envisioning what my life was way, way back when I was a little girl and remembering the good and bad experiences in each room. I have ever nook and cranny of that house and yard etched in my memory and memories tied to certain corners of the house and yard.
I hated saying goodbye. The thing with goodbyes is you have no choice in the matter. They come like it or not and you just have to deal with them and move on.

 So here is a brief photo tour, mostly all of the outside of the house as the inside was in full packing swing which never makes the best pictures.

Papa playing with Lukas for one last time in the driveway.

 The steps leading up to the house from the street.

Lukas sniffing the rosemary plant in the front yard.

 Walking up to the front door.

 Looking out toward the street.

 The view sitting on the top step of the front porch----ahhhh yes I have lots of memories of sitting here throughout the years and gazing off into the distant hills. I used to hike those hills with my good friend Marie, up to turtle tree, one of the trees on the ridge line that resembled a turtles shell hence the name.

 Lukas was a great helper packing a load in our truck to take to Papa and Gigi's new house.

 The view from the backyard into the park behind it. I love this view. I think I will miss this the most. Growing up with such a huge park directly behind our house was pretty incredible. My brother and I spent countless hours playing there, riding our bikes, and walking around the track. I even took my goats walking there. So many memories in that park with so many different family members and friends.

 Little man smiling at me from the sliding door. It makes me sad to think that Lukas will not know this home or remember it when he is older as it was such a huge part of my life for practically my entire life and is so special to my heart.

 Walking to the side lot.

 The side lot, used for garden beds, a home for the two pygmy goats I had for a few years, and lot of muddy playtime as a child.

 Walking back out toward the backyard.

 The tall trees lining the park and our property.

I used to sit here as a little girl and look out this very window for hours.

 A dorky picture I took of myself thinking this will be the last picture I have of myself in this house.

The best neighbors we could have ever asked for. I've know Bill and Maggie for as long as I can remember and they will be missed dearly by my whole family.

Even just posting these pictures and writing a bit down is an emotional process that doesn't even begin to cover one bit how hard this goodbye is....
Saying goodbye to a place, a home, the only home you have ever really known as home is not easy. I am so thankful I had such a wonderful, warm, and enduring home all these years and so I will focus on that thought and try to be positive with this goodbye.
And now it is time to go forward and open the next chapter in our lives and start fresh so here we go...